Civil Engineer salary in Chattanooga, TN-GA
Civil Engineers in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn a median of $95,630 a year ($45.97 an hour), based on BLS data for 670 workers.
Pay ranges from $64,290 for the lowest-paid 10% to $162,550 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $100,840. Pay here is about the same as the Tennessee statewide median of $95,910. There are 2.5 civil engineers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $109,060, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for civil engineers in Chattanooga, TN-GA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $64,290 | $30.91 |
| 25th percentile | $75,970 | $36.52 |
| Median | $95,630 | $45.97 |
| 75th percentile | $131,140 | $63.05 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $162,550 | $78.15 |
| Average (mean) | $109,060 | $52.43 |
Half of civil engineers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $7,969.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,984.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,678.08 |
| Weekly | $1,839.04 |
| Hourly | $45.97 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Civil Engineer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $103,010 | 2,000 |
| Dalton, GA | $99,760 | 200 |
| Savannah, GA | $98,950 | 370 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $98,650 | 2,090 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $96,930 | 140 |
| Knoxville, TN | $96,320 | 1,110 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $96,100 | 780 |
| Jackson, TN | $93,070 | 100 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $88,000 | 6,270 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $87,510 | 200 |
| Hinesville, GA | $86,790 | 30 |
| Macon-Bibb County, GA | $83,620 | 130 |
| Johnson City, TN | $82,470 | 110 |
| Warner Robins, GA | $82,080 | 160 |
| Valdosta, GA | $79,160 | 50 |
| Gainesville, GA | $77,950 | 180 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $77,600 | 170 |
| Athens-Clarke County, GA | $76,650 | 140 |
| Brunswick-St. Simons, GA | $76,180 | 40 |
| Albany, GA | $75,890 | 80 |
Highest-paying states for civil engineers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $122,500 |
| Alaska | $114,730 |
| Washington | $110,000 |
| Massachusetts | $106,730 |
| Louisiana | $105,380 |
| Oregon | $105,250 |
| New Jersey | $104,660 |
| Nevada | $104,310 |
| New Mexico | $103,900 |
| District of Columbia | $103,880 |
See Civil Engineer pay in every state or the Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chattanooga, TN-GA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineer | $99,410 | $47.79 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $106,660 | $51.28 |
| Electrical Engineer | $123,840 | $59.54 |
| Engineers, All Other | $101,200 | $48.66 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $119,180 | $57.30 |
| Nuclear Engineer | $146,850 | $70.60 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $133,060 | $63.97 |
| Materials Engineer | $103,360 | $49.69 |
| Environmental Engineer | $88,040 | $42.33 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $56,840 | $27.33 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $58,780 | $28.26 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $63,500 | $30.53 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $66,480 | $31.96 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $89,820 | $43.18 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Chattanooga, TN-GA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 17-2051. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a civil engineer make in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The median salary for civil engineers in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area is $95,630 a year, or $45.97 an hour. Pay ranges from $64,290 for the lowest-paid 10% to $162,550 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid civil engineers make in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The top 10% of civil engineers in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn at least $162,550 a year. The top 25% earn $131,140 or more.
What is the starting pay for civil engineers in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $64,290 a year, and a quarter of civil engineers earn $75,970 or less.
How many civil engineers work in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
About 670 civil engineers are employed in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area, not counting the self-employed.